Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-07-27
CHAPTER XXXII.
HE SHALL DIE.


cold rain, such as one often gets in the WAX
kerstroom and New Scotland districts Of tho
Transvaal, and which more resembles truo
north country mist than anything else, was
falling gently but persistently. This condition
of affairs was as favorable as possible to their
enterprise, and under cover Of it the Hotten-
tot and tho white girl crept far down the hill
to within twelve or fourteen PAGES OF tho
back Of tho wagon house. Then Jantje, who
was leading, suddenly put back his hand and
checked her, and at that moment Jess caught
the sound Of a sentry's footsteps as he tramped
leisurely up and down. For q couple OF
minutes or so they stopped thus, not knowing
what to do, when suddenly man came round
the corner Of the building holding lantern
in his hand On seeing the lantern Jess first
impulse was to fly, but Jantje, by motion,
made her understand that she was to stop
still The man with the lantern advanced
toward the other man, holding the light above
his head, and looking dim and gigantic in the
mist and rain. Presently he turned his face.
and Jess saw that it was Frank Muller him
self. He stood thus for moment waiting
till the sentry was near to him.
"You can go to your SUPPER" he said.
"Come back in half an hour. I will be re-
sponsible for the prisoners till then"
The man growled OUT an answer, something
about the rain, and then departed round tho
end of the building, followed by Muller.
"Now then, come on" whispered Jantje;
"there is hole in the store room wall, and
you may be able to speak to Missile Bessie"
Jess did not require second invitation, but
slipped up to the wall in five seconds. Passing
her hand over the stonework, she found tho
air hole, which she remembered well, for they
used to play bo-peep there as children, and
was about to whisper through it, when sud-
denly the door at the other end opened, and
Frank Muller entered, bearing the liant I'm in
his hand. For moment he stood on the
threshold, opening the slide of the lantern in
order to increase the light. His hat was off,
and he had cape Of dark cloth thrown over
his shoulders, which seemed to add to his
great breadth, and the thought flashed
through the mind Of jess as she looked at
him through the hole and the light struck
upon his face and form, and glinted down his
golden beard, that he was tho most masnlfl-
cent specimen Of humanity she had ever seen.
In another instant he had turned the lantern
round and revealed her dear sister Bessie to
her gaze Bessie was seated upon one OF tho
half empty sacks of mealies, apparently half
asleep, for she opened her wide blue eyes and
looked round apprehensively like one sud-
denly awakened. Her golden curls were in
disorder and falling over her fair forehead,
and her face was very pale and troubled, and
marked beneath the eyes with deep blue lines.
Catching sight Of her visitor, she rose hur-
riedly and retreated as far from him as the
pile of sacks and potatoes would allow.
"What is it," she said, in low voice. 81
gave you my answer. Why do you come to
torment ne againH'
He placed the lantern upon an upright sack
Of mealies, and carefully balanced it before
he answered Jess could see that he was
taking time to consider
"Let US recapitulate." he said, at length, in
his full, rich voice. "The position is this. I
gave you this morning the choice between
consenting to marry me tomorrow and see
ing your old uncle and benefactor shot. Fur
ther, 1 assured you that if you would not
consent to marry ME your uncle should be
shot, and that would then make you mine,
dispensing with the ceremony Of marriage.
Is that not So"
Bessie made no answer, and he Continued,
his eyes fixed upon her face and thoughtfully
stroking his beard.
"Silence gives consent I will 60 OH. Be-
fore a man can be shot according to law he
must be tried and condemned according to
law Your uncle has been tried and has been
condemned"
II heard it all, cruel murderer that you
are" said Bessie, lifting her head for the first
time
"Sol 1 thought you would, through the
crack. That is why I had you put into this
place; itwould not have looked we'll to bring
you before the court" and lie took the light
and examined the crevice. "This place is
badly built" he went OH, in careless tone;
"look, there is another space there at the
back" and he actually came up to it and held
the lantern close to it so that the light from
it shone through into Jess eyes and nearly
blinded her. She shut them quickly, so that
the gleam reflected from them should not be-
tray her, and then held her breath and re-
manned as still as the dead. In another sec